Light emitting device and method of manufacturing light emitting device

ABSTRACT

A light emitting device includes a light emitting element, a light guide member, a reflecting member, a wavelength conversion member. The light emitting element has a light emitting surface and lateral surfaces. The light guiding member is provided on at least a portion of the lateral surfaces of the light emitting element. The reflecting member is provided on the lateral surface of the light emitting element with the light guiding member interposed therebetween. The wavelength conversion member is provided on the light emitting surface of the light emitting element, the light guiding member and the reflecting member. The wavelength conversion member is provided with a recess between an outer lateral surface of the wavelength conversion member and the light guiding member. The reflecting member is provided in the recess.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2018-052150, filed on Mar. 20, 2018, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a light emitting device and method ofmanufacturing a light emitting device.

For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-12545 discloses alight emitting device in which a fluorescent plate is bonded onto alight emitting element, and the periphery of the fluorescent plate iscovered with a light-reflective white member. The upper surface of thelight emitting device has two colors: the color of a fluorescentmaterial contained in the fluorescent plate (e.g. yellow) and the colorof the white member (white).

In addition, some light emitting devices have a configuration in whichno light reflecting member is provided on a lateral surface of awavelength conversion member such as a fluorescent layer (see, forexample, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-77679).

When the light emitting device disclosed in the Publication No.2013-12545 is used as, for example, a light source of a lighting devicesuch as a flashlight for a camera of a smartphone, the color of thefluorescent material and the color of the white member appear on a lensduring a non-light-emission period. Thus, for example, depending on thedesign of a smartphone or a cover thereof, the upper surface of thelight emitting device disclosed in the Publication No. 2013-12545 has apart different color from the wavelength conversion member, and has anunfavorable appearance.

The light emitting device disclosed in the Publication No. 2013-77679has the color of the wavelength conversion member over the entire uppersurface of the light emitting device, but the light emitting device hasa wide light emitting region during a light-emission period, and smallcontrast of lightness and darkness.

SUMMARY

Certain embodiment according to the present disclosure is intended toprovide a light emitting device having the color of a wavelengthconversion member over the entire upper surface of the light emittingdevice during a non-light-emission period, and has large contrast oflightness and darkness in a light emitting region on the upper surfacethereof during a light-emission period, and a method of manufacturingthe light emitting device.

A light emitting device according to certain embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes a light emitting element, a light guide member, areflecting member, a wavelength conversion member. The light emittingelement has a light emitting surface and lateral surfaces. The lightguiding member is provided on at least a portion of the lateral surfacesof the light emitting element. The reflecting member is provided on thelateral surface of the light emitting element with the light guidingmember interposed therebetween. The wavelength conversion member isprovided on the light emitting surface of the light emitting element,the light guiding member and the reflecting member. The wavelengthconversion member is provided with a recess between an outer lateralsurface of the wavelength conversion member and the light guidingmember. The reflecting member is provided in the recess.

A method of manufacturing a light emitting device according to certainembodiment of the present disclosure includes: disposing a lightemitting element on a wavelength conversion member such that a lightemitting surface of the light emitting element faces a first surface ofthe wavelength conversion member opposite to a second surface of thewavelength conversion member, while providing a light guiding member soas to cover at least a portion of lateral surfaces of a light emittingelement; forming a recess at a periphery of the light guiding member byremoving a part of the wavelength conversion member at a periphery ofthe light guiding member; and disposing a reflecting member in therecess and to cover the light emitting element and the light guidingmember.

A method of manufacturing a light emitting device according to certainembodiment of the present disclosure includes: disposing a lightemitting element on a wavelength conversion member such that a lightemitting surface of the light emitting element faces a first surface ofthe wavelength conversion member opposite to a second surface of thewavelength conversion member, while providing a light guiding member soas to cover at least a portion of lateral surfaces of a light emittingelement; covering the light emitting element and the light guidingmember with a first reflecting member; forming a recess passing throughthe first reflecting member at a periphery of the light guiding memberby piercing the first reflecting member at the periphery of the lightguiding member, and removing a part of the wavelength conversion member;and supplying a second reflecting member in the recess.

The light emitting device of the embodiment according to the presentdisclosure can have the color of the wavelength conversion member overthe entire upper surface of the light emitting device during anon-light-emission period, and have large contrast of lightness anddarkness in a light emitting region during a light-emission period.

The method of manufacturing the light emitting device of the embodimentaccording to the present disclosure can achieve the light emittingdevice having the color of the wavelength conversion member over theentire upper surface of the light emitting device during anon-light-emission period, and having large contrast of lightness anddarkness in a light emitting region during a light-emission period.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of alight emitting device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along line IB-IB in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of thelight emitting according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method of manufacturing a light emittingdevice according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a sectional diagram showing a step of forming a wavelengthconversion member on a sheet in the method of manufacturing a lightemitting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a sectional diagram showing a step of disposing a lightemitting element in the method of manufacturing a light emitting deviceaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3C is a sectional diagram showing a step of forming a recess on thewavelength conversion member in the method of manufacturing a lightemitting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a sectional diagram showing a step of disposing a reflectingmember in the method of manufacturing a light emitting device accordingto the first embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a sectional diagram showing a step of exposing electrodesfrom the reflecting member in the method of manufacturing a lightemitting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4C is a sectional diagram showing a step of cutting for each devicein the method of manufacturing a light emitting device according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view schematically showing a configuration of alight emitting device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method of manufacturing a light emittingdevice according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a sectional diagram showing a step of forming a wavelengthconversion member on a sheet in the method of manufacturing a lightemitting device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7B is a sectional diagram showing a step of disposing a lightemitting element in the method of manufacturing a light emitting deviceaccording to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7C is a sectional diagram showing a step of forming at least onerecess on the wavelength conversion member in the method ofmanufacturing a light emitting device according to the secondembodiment.

FIG. 8A is a sectional diagram showing a step of supplying a secondreflecting member in the recess of the wavelength conversion member inthe method of manufacturing a light emitting device according to thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 8B is a sectional diagram showing a step of covering the lightemitting element and the like with a first reflecting member in themethod of manufacturing a light emitting device according to the secondembodiment.

FIG. 9A is a sectional diagram showing a step of exposing electrodesfrom the first reflecting member in the method of manufacturing a lightemitting device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9B is a sectional diagram showing a step of cutting for each devicein the method of manufacturing a light emitting device according to thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view schematically showing a configuration of alight emitting device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method of manufacturing a light emittingdevice according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12A is a sectional diagram showing a step of forming a wavelengthconversion member on a sheet in the method of manufacturing a lightemitting device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12B is a sectional diagram showing a step of disposing a lightemitting element in the method of manufacturing a light emitting deviceaccording to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12C is a sectional diagram showing a step of covering the lightemitting element and the like with a first reflecting member in themethod of manufacturing a light emitting device according to the thirdembodiment.

FIG. 13A is a sectional diagram showing a step of forming a recesspassing through the first reflecting member in the method ofmanufacturing a light emitting device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13B is a sectional diagram showing a step of supplying a secondreflecting member into the recess passing through the first reflectingmember in the method of manufacturing a light emitting device accordingto the third embodiment.

FIG. 14A is a sectional diagram showing a step of exposing electrodesfrom the first reflecting member in the method of manufacturing a lightemitting device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14B is a sectional diagram showing a step of cutting for eachdevice in the method of manufacturing a light emitting device accordingto the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view schematically showing a configuration of alight emitting device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 16A is a sectional view schematically showing a configuration of alight emitting device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 16B is a sectional view schematically showing a configuration of alight emitting device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 17A is a sectional view schematically showing another shape of arecess on a wavelength conversion member.

FIG. 17B is a sectional view schematically showing another shape of arecess on a wavelength conversion member.

FIG. 17C is a sectional view schematically showing another shape of arecess on a wavelength conversion member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Theembodiments shown below are intended to illustrate a light emittingdevice and a method of manufacturing a light emitting device forembodying the technical concepts of the embodiments, but are notintended to limit the scope of the invention to those described. Thedimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements and the like ofcomponents described in the embodiments are not intended to limit thescope of the present invention thereto, and are merely illustrativeunless otherwise specified. The sizes, positional relations and the likeof members shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarification ofexplanation.

First Embodiment

Light Emitting Device

First, a light emitting device according to a first embodiment will bedescribed.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, a light emitting device 100 includes a lightemitting element 1, a reflecting member 2, a wavelength conversionmember 3 and a light guiding member 6.

The upper surface of the light emitting device 100 includes an intenselylight-emitting region and a slightly light-emitting region. Theintensely light-emitting region is a region which intensely emits lightduring a light-emission period on the upper surface of the lightemitting device 100, in other words, inner/center side of the uppersurface of the light emitting device 100. The slightly light-emittingregion is a region other than the intensely light-emitting region on theupper surface of the light emitting device 100, in other words,outside/outer edge side of the upper surface of the light emittingdevice 100. In the present disclosure, with respect to an extended linefrom a lateral surface of a recess 30 on the light guiding member 6side, a region inside than the extended line on the upper surface of thelight emitting device 100 is an intensely light-emitting region L, and aregion on the extended line and outside the extended line is a slightlylight-emitting region N. However, the intensely light-emitting regionand the slightly light-emitting region are not strictly determined, andmay be appropriately determined according to the structure of the lightemitting device 100, the shape of the recess 30 and the light emittingstate.

Light Emitting Element

As the light emitting element 1, a semiconductor light emitting elementsuch as a LED element can be used. The light emitting element 1 may havea structure in which a pair of positive and negative electrodes 11 and12 are formed on an element composed of various semiconductors. Inparticular, the light emitting element 1 is preferably formed using anitride semiconductor (In_(x)Al_(y)Ga_(1-x-y)N, 0≤x, 0≤y, x+y≤1) whichcan efficiently excite a fluorescent material. In addition, the lightemitting element 1 may be formed using a zinc sulfide-basedsemiconductor, a zinc selenide-based semiconductor or a siliconcarbide-based semiconductor.

Reflecting Member

The reflecting member 2 reflects light from the light emitting element 1to extract the light through the wavelength conversion member 3. Thereflecting member 2 reflects light, which is emitted by the lightemitting element 1 and travels laterally or downward, toward thewavelength conversion member 3 serving as a light emitting region on theupper surface of the light emitting device 100.

The reflecting member 2 is provided on at least one lateral surface ofthe light emitting element 1 and below the wavelength conversion member3. The reflecting member 2 is provided on the light guiding member 6formed on at least one of the lateral surfaces of the light emittingelement 1. Specifically, the reflecting member 2 covers the lowersurface of the light emitting element 1, in other words, the surface onwhich the electrodes 11 and 12 are formed. Further, the reflectingmember 2 covers the lateral surfaces of the light emitting element 1such that the reflecting member 2 surrounds the lateral surfaces withthe light guiding member 6 interposed therebetween for regions coveredwith the light guiding member 6, and directly covers the lateralsurfaces of the light emitting element for regions which are not coveredwith the light guiding member 6.

In addition, the reflecting member 2 protrudes in a frame shape to thewavelength conversion member 3 side from an interface with thewavelength conversion member 3 to form a frame-shaped protruding portion2A in the recess 30. The light emitting device 100 has the frame-shapedprotruding portion 2A, so that the intensely light-emitting region andthe slightly light-emitting region can be easily distinguished, leadingto an increase in contrast between the intensely light-emitting regionand the slightly light-emitting region during a light-emission period.This can increase contrast of lightness and darkness in the lightemitting region during a light-emission period. In the light emittingdevice 100, the reflecting member 2 provided on the lateral surfaces ofthe light emitting element 1 and below the wavelength conversion member3 and the reflecting member 2 forming the frame-shaped protrudingportion 2A provided in the recess 30 of the wavelength conversion member3 are integrally formed as one member.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A is formed ina shape protruding in the wavelength conversion member 3 in sectionalview. Lateral surfaces of the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A on theoutside surface side of the wavelength conversion member 3 are coveredwith the wavelength conversion member 3 in sectional view. As shown inFIG. 1C, the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A is formed in aquadrangular annular shape surrounding the outer lateral surfaces of theouter edge of the light guiding member 6 in plan view. In the presentdisclosure, the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A has extendingportions 2B which extend from the four corners of the frame-shapedprotruding portion 2A and formed on at least one outside surface of thelight emitting device 100. The extending portion 2B is generated, forexample when a plurality of light emitting elements 1 is disposed on alarge sheet provided with the wavelength conversion member 3, and therecess 30 is continuously formed in each of the column direction and therow direction of the sheet in the method of manufacturing the lightemitting device 100.

Lateral surfaces of the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A on the lightguiding member 6 side are formed substantially perpendicular to thelight emitting surface of the light emitting element 1 in sectionalview. The frame-shaped protruding portion 2A has a shape in whichlateral surfaces on the outside surface side of the wavelengthconversion member 3 are inclined in sectional view. For example, thelateral surfaces of the outside surface side of the wavelengthconversion member 3 each have an arc shape as shown in FIG. 1B. That is,the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A has a sectional-view shape inwhich the tip is thinned, and lateral surfaces on one side are linearwhile the other lateral surfaces on the other side are curved.

The lateral surfaces of the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A on thelight guiding member 6 side are formed substantially perpendicular tothe light emitting surface of the light emitting element 1 in sectionalview, thus contrast between the intensely light-emitting region and theslightly light-emitting region during a light-emission period can beincreased. This can increase contrast of lightness and darkness in thelight emitting region during a light-emission period.

Because the lateral surfaces of the frame-shaped protruding portion 2Apositioned on the outside surface side of the wavelength conversionmember 3 are inclined in sectional view, the frame-shaped protrudingportion 2A is tapered toward the upper surface of the light emittingdevice 100 while the width of the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A ismaintained. Accordingly, the width of the frame-shaped protrudingportion 2A decreases as approaching toward the upper surface of thelight emitting device 100, so that the frame-shaped protruding portion2A is less likely to be seen when viewed from the upper surface of thelight emitting device 100. Thus, the color of the wavelength conversionmember 3 on the upper surface of the light emitting device 100 is lesslikely to be affected by the color of the frame-shaped protrudingportion 2A while the width of the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A ismaintained.

Therefore, due to the inclined lateral surfaces of the frame-shapedprotruding portion 2A on the side of the outside surface of thewavelength conversion member 3, the color of the entire upper surface ofthe light emitting device 100 during a non-light-emission period can besubstantially the same as the color of the wavelength conversion member3 more easily while contrast between the intensely light-emitting regionand the slightly light-emitting region during a light-emission period isincreased.

The reflecting member 2 is, for example, a resin layer containing areflecting substance. The reflecting member 2 may contains a filler inaddition to a reflecting substance in a resin as a base material orbinder.

The binder is a resin for binding the reflecting member 2 such as thereflecting substance and filler to the lateral surfaces and the lowersurface (i.e., the surface on which the electrodes 11 and 12 are formed)of the light emitting element 1. Examples of the resin as a binderinclude polycarbonate resins, epoxy resins, phenol resins, siliconeresins, acrylic resins, TPX resins, polynorbornene resins and urethaneresins. Alternatively, examples of the resin as a binder includemodified resins of the above-mentioned resins, and hybrid resinsincluding one or more of the above-mentioned resins. In particular,silicone resins or modified silicone resins are preferable because theyare highly resistant to heat and weather, and undergo small volumetricshrinkage after curing.

The reflecting substance reflects light emitted by the light emittingelement 1. Examples of the reflecting substance include silica, titaniumoxide, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, potassium titanate, zinc oxide andboron nitrate. In addition, resin powder such as silicone powder may beused.

The filler is added for increasing the mechanical strength of thereflecting member 2 as a resin layer, or increasing the thermalconductivity of the reflecting member 2. Examples of the filler includeglass fibers, whiskers, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, boron nitride,zinc oxide and aluminum nitride.

Light Guiding Member

The light guiding member 6 facilitates extraction of light from thelight emitting element 1, and guides light from the light emittingelement 1 to the wavelength conversion member 3. The light guidingmember 6 can improve luminous flux and light extraction efficiency.

The light guiding member 6 is formed by a bonding member for bonding thewavelength conversion member 3 and the light emitting element 1 to eachother that creeps up to lateral surfaces of the light emitting element1. The light guiding member 6 is formed upside down duringmanufacturing.

As the light guiding member 6, for example, a light-transmissive resinmaterial can be used. In addition, examples of the light guiding member6 include light-transmissive adhesive materials such as the resins to beused as the base material or binder of the reflecting member 2. Inaddition, the light guiding member 6 may contain a diffusing agent suchas silica, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, potassiumtitanate, zinc oxide or boron nitride. This can allow light to enter thewavelength conversion member 3 uniformly, to thereby alleviate colornon-uniformity of the light emitting device 100.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the light guiding member 6 is formed in atriangular shape such that the width of the member increases asapproaching toward the wavelength conversion member 3 from the lowersurface (i.e., the surface on which electrodes 11 and 12 are formed) ofthe light emitting element 1 in sectional view. This form can improveluminous flux and light extraction efficiency. However, the shape of thelight guiding member 6 is not particularly specified. For example, theguiding member 6 may have a curved surface projecting toward thereflecting member 2 side, or a curved surface depressing toward thelight emitting element 1 side.

The light guiding member 6 is required to cover a part of the lateralsurface of the light emitting element 1, and preferably coverssubstantially the entire lateral surfaces of the light emitting element1 from the viewpoint of improving luminous flux and light extractionefficiency.

In addition, the light guiding member 6 may be positioned between thewavelength conversion member 3 and the light emitting element 1.

Wavelength Conversion Member

The wavelength conversion member 3 contains a wavelength conversionsubstance which absorbs a part of light having a wavelength of lightemitted by the light emitting element 1, converts the absorbed light tolight having a different wavelength, and emits the converted light. Thewavelength conversion substance 3 is, for example, a fluorescentmaterial. Hereinafter, the following description is given on the premisethat the wavelength conversion substance is a fluorescent substance.

The wavelength conversion member 3 is positioned on the light emittingsurface of the light emitting element 1, the light guiding member 6 andthe reflecting member 2.

The lower surface of the wavelength conversion member 3, in other words,a surface facing the light emitting surface of the light emittingelement 1 has a larger size than the light emitting surface that is theupper surface of the light emitting element 1.

The wavelength conversion member 3 is provided with the recess 30between the outside surface of the wavelength conversion member 3 andthe light guiding member 6. Specifically, the recess 30 has aquadrangular annular portion of the recess 30 that surrounds the outerlateral surfaces of the outer edge of the light guiding member 6positioned on the light emitting element 1 side from the outer lateralsurfaces of the wavelength conversion member 3. The wavelengthconversion member 3 is present outward of the quadrangular annularportion of the recess 30. The recess 30 is provided in such a mannerthat the quadrangular annular portion does not reach the outside surfaceof the light emitting device 100, and is not wholly or partiallyprovided on the light guiding member 6.

The recess 30 is formed in a quadrangular annular portion surroundingthe outer lateral surfaces of the outer edge of the light guiding member6 as in the case of the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A. In addition,the recess 30 corresponds to the extending portion 2B of theframe-shaped protruding portion 2A, and in the present disclosure,extends from the four corners of the quadrangular annular portion to theoutside surface of the light emitting device 100.

The reflecting member 2 is provided in the recess 30 to form theframe-shaped protruding portion 2A.

The recess 30 is formed of such a shape that the tip is pointed, and onelateral surface is linear while the other lateral surface is curved asin the case of the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A.

The thickness of the wavelength conversion member 3 in the up-downdirection except the recess 30 can be determined by the content of afluorescent material, the color after color mixing of light emitted bythe light emitting element 1 and light after wavelength conversion, orthe like, and may be, for example, 50 μm or more and 300 μm or less.

The depth of the recess 30 is preferably 20% or more and 80% or less ofthe thickness of the wavelength conversion member 3. The recess 30having the depth of 20% or more with respect to the thickness of thewavelength conversion member 3 can increase contrast between theintensely light-emitting region and slightly light-emitting region. Therecess 30 having the depth of 80% or less with respect to the thicknessof the wavelength conversion member 3 can make the reflecting member 2in the recess 30 appear when viewed from the upper surface of the lightemitting device 100. Accordingly, the color of the entire upper surfaceof the light emitting device 100 during a non-light-emission period caneasily be substantially the same as the color of the wavelengthconversion member 3. The depth of the recess 30 is more preferably 40%or more with respect to the thickness of the wavelength conversionmember 3 from the viewpoint of increasing contrast between the intenselylight-emitting region and the slightly light-emitting region during alight-emission period. In addition, the depth of the recess 30 is morepreferably 60% or less with respect to the thickness of the wavelengthconversion member 3 from the viewpoint of ensuring that the color of theentire upper surface of the light emitting device 100 is easily madesubstantially the same as the color of the wavelength conversion member3 during a non-light-emission period.

The depth of the recess 30 in the present disclosure is the maximumdepth from a first surface 3 a of the wavelength conversion member 3.

The phrase “the entire upper surface of the light emitting device 100has the color of the wavelength conversion member 3 during anon-light-emission period” means that the color of the entire uppersurface of the light emitting device 100 is either the same orsubstantially the same color of the color of the wavelength conversionmember 3. The term “substantially the same” means that for example inthe constant hue plane of the Munsell color system (20 hues), the colorsmay be in a range of two neighboring levels in each of the hue, thevalue and the chroma.

The width of the wavelength conversion member 3, in other words, the sumof N+L+N in FIG. 1B may be 200 μm or more and 2.4 mm or less. Morepreferably, the width of the wavelength conversion member 3 is 200 μm ormore and 240 μm or less.

The width of the recess 30 is preferably 20 μm or more and 100 μm orless. The recess 30 having the width of 20 μm or more can increasecontrast between the intensely light-emitting region and the slightlylight-emitting region during a light-emission period. On the other hand,the recess 30 having the width of 100 μm or less can allow the color ofthe entire upper surface of the light emitting device 100 to easily besubstantially the same as the color of the wavelength conversion member3 during a non-light-emission period. The width of the recess 30 is morepreferably 40 μm or more from the viewpoint of increasing contrastbetween the intensely light-emitting region and the slightlylight-emitting region during a light-emission period. In addition, thewidth of the recess 30 is more preferably 80 μm or less from theviewpoint of ensuring that the color of the entire upper surface of thelight emitting device 100 is easily made substantially the same as thecolor of the wavelength conversion member 3 during a non-light-emissionperiod.

In the present disclosure, the width of the recess 30 refers the widthof the recess 30 at a region at half of the length between the openingand the deepest portion of the recess 30. The widths at regions betweenhalf the depth of the recess 30 and the tip of the recess 30 may besmaller than the above-mentioned width. In the present disclosure, thewidth of the recess 30 also refers the width of the frame-shapedprotruding portion 2A provided in the recess 30. When the recess 30 isprovided with a gap between the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A, thewidth of the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A is preferably in theabove-mentioned range.

Preferably, the base material or binder of the wavelength conversionmember 3 is formed of a light-transmissive resin. Example resins includethe resins to be used as the base material or binder of the reflectingmember 2. In particular, silicone resins or modified silicone resins arepreferable because they are highly resistant to heat and weather, andundergo small volumetric shrinkage after curing. In addition, the basematerial or binder of the wavelength conversion member 3 may be formedof glass in place of a resin.

Examples of the fluorescent material contained in the wavelengthconversion member 3 include yttrium aluminum garnet activated withcerium, lutetium aluminum garnet activated with cerium, terbium aluminumgarnet activated with cerium, nitrogen-containing calciumaluminosilicate activated with one or both of europium and chromium,sialon activated with europium, silicate activated with europium, andpotassium silicate fluoride activated with manganese.

The body color of the fluorescent material may have any color. The bodycolor refers to the color of a member itself of the light emittingdevice 100 during a non-light-emission period.

For example, when using a fluorescent material having a white bodycolor, the body color of the wavelength conversion member 3 is white.Thus, the entire upper surface of the light emitting device 100 is awhite color during a non-light-emission period.

The body color can be measured using, for example, measuring devicessuch as CM series spectrophotometers (manufactured by Konica Minolta,Inc.) and CR series color difference meters (manufactured by KonicaMinolta, Inc.). Among these measuring devices, a measuring device may beused which includes a xenon lamp as a light source and a siliconphotodiode as a light emitting element, and is capable of splittinglight in a plane diffraction grating, and performing outputting in theMunsell color system.

When the light emitting device 100 is used as, for example, a whitelight source of an lighting device such as a flashlight for a camera,the light emitting device 100 is preferably configured with a lightemitting element which emits blue light and a fluorescent material whichemits yellow color and has a yellow body color. In addition, the lightemitting device 100 is configured with a light emitting element whichemits blue light, and a fluorescent material which emits orange lightand has an orange body color.

Examples of the fluorescent material which has a yellow body color andemits yellow light include yttrium aluminum garnet-based fluorescentmaterials (YAG-based fluorescent materials), lutetium aluminumgarnet-based fluorescent materials (LAG-based fluorescent materials) andterbium aluminum garnet-based fluorescent materials (TAG-basedfluorescent materials). In addition, examples of the fluorescentmaterial which has a yellow body color and emit red light include KSF.The body colors of these fluorescent materials correspond to 10Y or 5Yin the Munsell hue circle of the Munsell color system (20 hues).

Examples of the fluorescent material which has an orange body color andemits red light include SCASN and CASN. The body colors of thesefluorescent materials correspond to 10YR or 5YR in the Munsell huecircle of the Munsell color system (20 hues).

In addition, a fluorescent material which emit orange light can beobtained by mixing a fluorescent material which emits yellow light, anda fluorescent material which emits red light.

In addition, the colors of fluorescent materials whose body color isyellow or orange correspond to, for example, hues of 5YR, 10YR, 5Y and10Y in the Munsell hue circle of the Munsell color system (20 hues).

A fluorescent material having yellow body color corresponds to, forexample, 10Y or 5Y. A fluorescent material having orange body colorcorresponds to, for example, 10YR or 5YR. An explanation will be givenbelow assuming a fluorescent material has a yellow body color andcorresponds to 5Y in the Munsell hue circle of the Munsell color system(20 hues).

In the Munsell color system, for example, the value is 7 or more and 9or less, and the chroma is 4 or more and 14 or less.

The wavelength conversion member 3 may contain a diffusing agent. Thediffusing agent is added for efficiently diffusing light emitted by thelight emitting element 1 and the fluorescent material. The diffusingagent is, for example, the same as the reflecting substance in thereflecting member 2.

Operation of Light Emitting Device

The operation of the light emitting device 100 will now be described.

When the light emitting device 100 is driven, power is supplied to thelight emitting element 1 from an external power supply throughelectrodes 11 and 12, and the light emitting element 1 emits light. Apart of light emitted by the light emitting element 1 is reflected atthe reflecting member 2, and passes through the wavelength conversionmember 3 to be extracted outside. The frame-shaped protruding portion 2Ais provided in the recess 30 of the wavelength conversion member 3, tothereby increase contrast of lightness and darkness (i.e., luminancedifference) on the upper surface of the light emitting device 100.

Method of Manufacturing Light Emitting Device

One example of a method of manufacturing the light emitting device 100according to the first embodiment will now be described with referenceto FIGS. 2 to 4C. FIGS. 3A to 4C schematically show one light emittingdevice 100 at the time of manufacturing a plurality of light emittingdevices 100 at once.

As shown in FIG. 2, the method of manufacturing the light emittingdevice 100 according to the first embodiment includes a step S101 offorming a wavelength conversion member on a sheet, a step S102 ofdisposing a light emitting element, a step S103 of forming a recess onthe wavelength conversion member, a step S104 of disposing a reflectingmember, a step S105 of exposing electrodes, and a step S106 of cutting.

The materials, arrangements and the like of the members are essentiallythe same as described above for the light emitting device 100, andtherefore descriptions thereof are appropriately omitted here.

Step of Forming Wavelength Conversion Member on Sheet

The step S101 of forming a wavelength conversion member on a sheet is astep of forming the wavelength conversion member 3 on a sheet 20 formedusing resin or the like as shown in FIG. 3A.

The wavelength conversion member 3 can be formed on the sheet 20 by, forexample, a printing method, a compression molding method, or a methodwith which a plate-shaped wavelength conversion member is stacked.

Step of Disposing Light Emitting Element

The step S102 of disposing a light emitting element is a step ofdisposing the light emitting element 1 on a first surface 3 a of thewavelength conversion member 3 with the first surface 3 a of thewavelength conversion member 3 facing the light emitting surface of thelight emitting element la of the light emitting element 1 as shown inFIG. 3B. The wavelength conversion member 3 has the first surface 3 aand a second surface 3 b positioned opposite to the first surface 3 a.In addition, the step S102 of disposing a light emitting element on thewavelength conversion member 3 includes a step of providing a lightguide member 6 in such a manner as to cover at least a portion of thelateral surface of the light emitting element 1.

In the step S102, a surface of the light emitting element 1 positionedopposite to a surface on which electrodes 11 and 12 are formed, in otherwords, the light emitting surface 1 a, is bonded to the first surface 3a of the wavelength conversion member 3 with the bonding memberinterposed therebetween.

In this instance, adjusting the amount of the bonding member can allowthe bonding member to creep up at least a portion of the lateralsurfaces of the light emitting element 1, so that the bonding member isformed on the lateral surface of the light emitting element 1.Accordingly, the light emitting device 100 has a configuration in whichthe light guiding member 6 as a bonding member is provided on thelateral surfaces of the light emitting element 1.

In addition, the light guiding member 6 as a bonding member may bedisposed with a predetermined thickness in the up-down direction betweenthe light emitting surface 1 a of the light emitting element 1 and thefirst surface 3 a of the wavelength conversion member 3. Accordingly,the light emitting element 1 and the wavelength conversion member 3 canbe firmly bonded to each other. In the present disclosure, the bondingmember is interposed in an extremely thin state (not shown) between thelight emitting surface 1 a of the light emitting element 1 and the firstsurface 3 a of the wavelength conversion member 3 for bonding the lightemitting element 1 and the wavelength conversion member 3 to each other.

Step of Forming Recess on Wavelength Conversion Member

The step S103 of forming recess on the wavelength conversion member is astep of removing a part of the wavelength conversion member 3 on theperiphery of the light guiding member 6 to form the recess 30 on theperiphery of the light guiding member 6 as shown in FIG. 3C.

The recess 30 can be formed by, for example, removing a part of thewavelength conversion member 3 perpendicularly or inclinedly from theupper surface of the wavelength conversion member 3 toward the sheet 20using a blade having a predetermined width and a predetermined shape.

The recess 30 may be formed by laser light or etching. When the recess30 having a small depth as shown in FIG. 3C is formed, it is preferableto use a router. When the recess 30 is formed by laser light, a part ofthe wavelength conversion member reacted by laser light may be removedafter the recess 30 is formed.

In addition, a part of the light guiding member 6 may be removed informing the recess 30. In this instance, the recess 30 is preferablyformed outward of the light guiding member 6 as shown in FIG. 3C inorder to improve the light emitting efficiency. The recess 30 is formedsuch that a quadrangular annular portion surrounding the outer lateralsurfaces of the outer edge of the light guiding member 6 is positionedinward of the outside surface of the wavelength conversion member 3.

Step of Disposing Reflecting Member

The step S104 of disposing the reflecting member is a step of supplyingthe reflecting member 2 in the recess 30 of the wavelength conversionmember 3 and covering the light emitting element 1 and the light guidingmember 6 as shown in FIG. 4A.

In the step S104, the reflecting member 2 is supplied in the recess 30of the wavelength conversion member 3. In addition, in the step S104,the surfaces of the light emitting element 1 including electrodes 11 and12, and the light guiding member 6 are covered with the reflectingmember 2. In the step S104, the reflecting member 2 is provided in therecess 30 of the wavelength conversion member 3 and in a region from thesurface of the wavelength conversion member 3 to the upper surfaces ofelectrodes 11 and 12.

Supplying the reflecting member 2 in the recess 30 and covering thelight emitting element 1 and the light guiding member 6 with thereflecting member 2 can be performed using, for example, a dischargedevice (i.e., dispenser) which can be vertically or horizontally movedwith respect to the sheet 20 above the fixed sheet 20. Supplying andcovering with the reflecting member 2 can be performed by supplying thereflecting member 2 in the recess 30 of the wavelength conversion member3 and the top of the wavelength conversion member 3 with a resin or thelike that forms the reflecting member 2 using the discharge device.

Covering can be performed by a compression molding method, a transfermolding method or the like.

Step of Exposing Electrode

The step S105 of exposing electrodes is a step of removing a part of thereflecting member 2 on the side of electrodes 11 and 12 so as to exposeelectrodes 11 and 12 of the light emitting element 1 as shown in FIG.4B.

In the step S105, for example, the surface of the reflecting member 2 isremoved from the side of electrodes 11 and 12 until electrodes 11 and 12are exposed. Examples of the method for removing the reflecting member 2include grinding, polishing and blasting.

Step of Cutting

The Step S106 of cutting is a step of cutting a collective body of lightemitting devices 100 as shown in FIG. 4C. That is, the step S106 is astep of dividing the collective body of light emitting devices 100.

In the step S106, a cut groove 31 formed in portions for dividing thecollective body of light emitting devices 100 is preset such that thesizes of light emitting devices 100 are substantially equal.

The collective body can be divided by, for example, removing a part ofthe reflecting member 2 and a part of the wavelength conversion member 3in the thickness direction to form the cut groove 31 such that one lightemitting element 1 is surrounded. Preferably, the cut groove 31 isformed so as to reach a portion of the sheet 20.

The cut groove 31 can be formed by a known method such as a dicingmethod with which the collective body is cut by a blade.

A plurality of light emitting devices 100 is obtained by dividing thecollective body.

When a plurality of light emitting elements 1 is disposed on the sheet20, the cut groove 31 may be formed so as to surround one light emittingelement 1, or formed so as to surround a plurality of light emittingelements 1.

To obtain a light emitting device 100D as shown in FIG. 16A, forexample, the recess 30 can be formed so as to surround one lightemitting element 1, the cut groove 31 can be formed so as to surroundtwo light emitting elements, and cutting is performed by the cut groove31 for every two light emitting elements 1.

To obtain a light emitting device 100E as shown in FIG. 16B, forexample, the recess 30 and the cut groove 31 are formed so as tosurround two light emitting elements 1, and cutting is performed by thecut groove 31 for every two light emitting elements 1.

Second Embodiment

Light Emitting Device

A light emitting device according to a second embodiment will now bedescribed.

As shown in FIG. 5, a light emitting device 100A includes a lightemitting element 1, a first reflecting member 2, a wavelength conversionmember 3, a second reflecting member 4 and a light guiding member 6.

Here, aspects of the second embodiment different from the firstembodiment will mainly be described.

In the second embodiment, the reflecting member includes the firstreflecting member 2 provided on lateral surfaces of the light emittingelement 1, and the second reflection member 4 provided in a recess 30.

The first reflecting member 2 is the same as the reflecting memberdescribed in the first embodiment except that the first reflectingmember 2 is not essentially provided in the recess 30 of the wavelengthconversion member 3. A portion in the recess 30 in which the secondreflecting member 4 is provided corresponds to the frame-shapedprotruding portion 2A described in the first embodiment.

The second reflecting member 4 is a different component from the firstreflecting member 2, and is provided in the recess 30 of the wavelengthconversion member 3. The “different component” means that the firstreflecting member 2 and the second reflecting member 4 are provided asdifferent members.

The second reflecting member 4 may be a reflecting member identical toor different from the first reflecting member 2. The second reflectingmember 4 may contain a filler or the like different from that in thefirst reflecting member 2.

The second reflecting member 4 may contain a coloring substance.Containing a coloring substance in the second reflecting member 4 caneasily make the color of the entire upper surface of the light emittingdevice 100 substantially identical to the color of the wavelengthconversion member 3 during a light-emission period.

The coloring substance contains one of a pigment and a dye.

Examples of the pigment include pigments using an inorganic material oran organic material, and examples of the material to be used for thepigment are as follows, but are not particularly limited thereto.

Examples of the inorganic material include red iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), redlead (Pb₃O₄), titanium nickel antimony-based oxide, titanium nickelbarium-based oxide, titanium chromium antimony-based oxide and titaniumchromium niobium-based oxide.

Examples of the organic material include anthraquinone-based materials,azo-based materials, quinacridone-based materials, perylene-basedmaterials, diketo-pyroro-pyrrole-based materials, monoazo-basedmaterials, disazo-based materials, pyrazolone-based materials,benzimidazolone-based materials, quinoxaline-based materials,azomethine-based materials, isoindolinone-based materials andisoindolin-based materials.

Examples of the dye include anthraquinone-based dyes, methine-baseddyes, azomethine-based dyes, oxazine-based dyes, azo-based dyes,styryl-based dyes, coumarin-based dyes, porphyrin-based dyes,dibenzofuranone-based dyes, diketo-pyroro-pyrrole-based dyes,rhodamine-based dyes, xanthene-based dyes and pyrromethene-based dyes,but are not particularly limited thereto.

The pigment and the dye are each preferably one that does notessentially convert light from the light emitting element 1 into lighthaving a different wavelength.

Method of Manufacturing Light Emitting Device

One example of a method of manufacturing the light emitting device 100Aaccording to the second embodiment will now be described with referenceto FIGS. 6 to 9B. FIGS. 7A to 9B schematically show one light emittingdevice 100A at the time of manufacturing a plurality of light emittingdevices 100A at once.

As shown in FIG. 6, the method of manufacturing the light emittingdevice 100A according to the second embodiment includes a step S201 offorming a wavelength conversion member on a sheet, a step S202 ofdisposing a light emitting element, a step S203 of forming a recess onthe wavelength conversion member, a step S204 of supplying a secondreflecting member, a step S205 of supplying a first reflecting member, astep S206 of exposing electrodes, and a step S207 of cutting.

The materials, arrangements and the like of the members are essentiallythe same as described above for the light emitting devices 100 and 100A,and therefore descriptions thereof are appropriately omitted here.

As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, 9A and 9B, a step S201 of forming awavelength conversion member on a sheet, a step S202 of disposing alight emitting element, a step S203 of forming a recess on thewavelength conversion member, a step S206 of exposing electrodes and astep S207 of cutting can be performed in the same manner as to,respectively, a step S101 of forming a wavelength conversion member on asheet, a step S102 of disposing a light emitting element, a step S103 offorming a recess on the wavelength conversion member, a step S105 ofexposing electrodes and a step S106 of cutting as described above in themethod of manufacturing the light emitting device 100.

Here, as steps of disposing reflecting members, the step S204 ofsupplying a second reflecting member and a step S205 of supplying afirst reflecting member will be described.

Step of Supplying Second Reflecting Member

The step S204 of supplying a second reflecting member is a step ofsupplying the second reflecting member 4 in the recess 30 of thewavelength conversion member 3 as shown in FIG. 8A.

The second reflecting member 4 can be supplied by, for example, aprinting method or a compression molding method. In addition, the secondreflecting member 4 can be supplied using the resin discharge device.

Step of Supplying First Reflecting Member

The step S205 of supplying a first reflecting member is a step ofcovering the first light emitting element 1, the light guiding member 6and the second reflecting member 4 with the first reflecting member 2 asshown in FIG. 8B.

In the step S205, not only the light emitting element 1 and the lightguiding member 6, but also the second reflecting member 4 provided inthe recess 30 of the wavelength conversion member 3 is covered with thefirst reflecting member 2. Except for this, the step can be performed inthe same manner as to the step S104 of supplying a reflecting member asdescribed above in the method of manufacturing the light emitting device100.

The step S206 of exposing the electrodes is a step of removing a part ofthe first reflecting member 2 on the side of electrodes 11 and 12 so asto expose the electrodes 11 and 12 of the light emitting element 1 asshown in FIG. 9A. For details, the step can be performed in the samemanner as to the step S105 of exposing electrodes as described above inthe method of manufacturing the light emitting device 100.

The step S207 of cutting is a step of cutting a collective body of lightemitting devices 100A as shown in FIG. 9B. For details, the step can beperformed in the same manner as to the step S106 of cutting as describedabove in the method of manufacturing the light emitting device 100.

Third Embodiment

Light Emitting Device

A light emitting device according to a third embodiment will now bedescribed.

As shown in FIG. 10, a light emitting device 100B includes a first lightemitting element 1, a first reflecting member 2, a wavelength conversionmember 3, a second reflecting member 4 and a light guiding member 6.

Here, aspects of the third embodiment mainly different from the secondembodiment will be described.

The second reflecting member 4 is provided so as to pass through thefirst reflecting member 2. The first reflecting member 2 is providedwith a through-hole communicating with a recess of the wavelengthconversion member 3, and the through-hole and the recess of thewavelength conversion member 3 are integrated to form a recess 32. Thesecond reflecting member 4 is provided in the recess of the wavelengthconversion member 3, and provided in the through-hole of the firstreflecting member 2. Accordingly, the second reflecting member 4 isprovided in the recess 32 such that the second reflecting member 4 inthe recess of the wavelength conversion member 3 and the secondreflecting member 4 in the through-hole of the first reflecting member 2are integrally formed. Here, the recess 32 extends to the outsidesurface of the light emitting device 100 at the four corners of aquadrangular annular portion surrounding the outer lateral surfaces ofthe outer edge of the light guiding member 6. The recess of thewavelength conversion member 3 corresponds to the recess 30 described inthe first embodiment, and a portion in the recess of the wavelengthconversion member 3, which is provided with the second reflecting member4, corresponds to the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A described inthe first embodiment.

Method of Manufacturing Light Emitting Device

One example of a method of manufacturing the light emitting device 100Baccording to the third embodiment will now be described with referenceto FIGS. 11 to 14B. FIGS. 12A to 14B schematically show one lightemitting device 100B at the time of manufacturing a plurality of lightemitting devices 100B at once.

As shown in FIG. 11, the method of manufacturing the light emittingdevice 100B according to the third embodiment includes a step S301 offorming a wavelength conversion member on a sheet, a step S302 ofdisposing a light emitting element, a step S303 of supplying a firstreflecting member, a step S304 of forming a recess passing through thefirst reflecting member, a step S305 of supplying a second reflectingmember, a step S306 of exposing electrodes, and a step S307 of cutting.

The materials, arrangements and the like of the members are essentiallythe same as described above for the light emitting devices 100, 100A and100B, and therefore descriptions thereof are appropriately omitted here.

As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the step S301 of forming a wavelengthconversion member on a sheet and the step S302 of disposing a lightemitting element can be performed in the same manner as to,respectively, the step S101 of forming a wavelength conversion member ona sheet and the step S102 of disposing a light emitting element asdescribed above in the method of manufacturing the light emitting device100.

Here, the step S303 of supplying a first reflecting member, the stepS304 of forming a recess passing through the first reflecting member,the step S305 of supplying a second reflecting member, the step S306 ofexposing electrodes, and the step S307 of cutting will be described.

Step of Supplying First Reflecting Member

The step S303 of supplying a first reflecting member is a step ofcovering the light emitting element 1 and the light guiding member 6with the first reflecting member 2 as shown in FIG. 12C.

In the step S303, no recess is formed on the wavelength conversionmember 3 at this time, and therefore the first reflecting member 2 isprovided on the wavelength conversion member 3 being provided with norecess. Except for this, the step can be performed in the same manner asto the step S104 of disposing a reflecting member as described above inthe method of manufacturing the light emitting device 100.

Step of Forming Recess Passing through First Reflecting Member

The step S304 of forming a recess passing through the first reflectingmember is a step of forming the recess 32 piercing through the firstreflecting member 2 on the periphery of the light guiding member 6 asshown in FIG. 13A.

In the step S304, the first reflecting member 2 on the periphery of thelight guiding member 6 is pierced, and a part of the wavelengthconversion member 3 is removed. Accordingly, the recess 32 passingthrough the first reflecting member 2 is formed on the periphery of thelight guiding member 6.

The recess 32 can be formed by, for example, removing the firstreflecting member 2 perpendicularly or inclinedly from the upper surfaceof the first reflecting member 2 toward the sheet 20 using a bladehaving a predetermined width and a predetermined shape. The recess 32can be formed by piercing the first reflecting member 2, and removing apart of the wavelength conversion member 3.

The recess 32 having a large depth as shown in FIG. 13A can be formed bylaser light or dicing. However, dicing is preferable to form the recess32.

In addition, the recess 32 may be formed so as to remove a part of thelight guiding member 6. For improving light emitting efficiency, therecess 32 is preferably formed outward of the light guiding member 6 asshown in FIG. 13A. In addition, the recess 32 is formed such that aquadrangular annular portion surrounding the outer lateral surfaces ofthe outer edge of the light guiding member 6 is positioned inward of theouter lateral surface of the wavelength conversion member 3

Step of Supplying Second Reflecting Member

Step S305 of supplying a second reflecting member is a step of supplyingthe second reflecting member 4 in the recess 32 as shown in FIG. 13B.

The second reflecting member 4 can be supplied by, for example, aprinting method or a compression molding method. In addition, the secondreflecting member 4 can be supplied using the resin discharge device.

Step of Exposing Electrode

The step S306 of exposing electrodes is a step of removing a part of thefirst reflecting member 2 and a part of the second reflecting member 4on the side of electrodes 11 and 12 so as to expose electrodes 11 and 12of the light emitting element 1 as shown in FIG. 14A.

In the step S306, for example, the surfaces of the first reflectingmember 2 and the second reflecting member 4 are removed from the side ofelectrodes 11 and 12 until electrodes 11 and 12 are exposed. Examples ofthe method for removing the first reflecting member 2 and the secondreflecting member 4 include grinding, polishing and blasting.

Step of Cutting

The step S307 of cutting is a step of cutting a collective body of lightemitting devices 100B as shown in FIG. 14B.

In the step S307, the collective body of light emitting devices 100B iscut at a portion on the periphery of the recess 32 where the cut groove31 is formed. Except for this, the step can be performed in the samemanner as to the step S106 described above in the method ofmanufacturing the light emitting device 100.

The light emitting devices and methods of manufacturing a light emittingdevice according to the embodiments have been described in more detailin “DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS”. However, the spirit of thepresent disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, andshould be broadly interpreted on the basis of the descriptions ofclaims. In addition, various changes and modifications made on the basisof these descriptions are included in the spirit of the presentdisclosure.

Hereinafter, other embodiments will be described.

The light guiding member 6 may be provided not only on the lateralsurfaces of the light emitting element 1 but also between the lightemitting element 1 and the wavelength conversion member 3 as in a lightemitting device 100C shown in FIG. 15. In this case, the thickness ofthe light guiding member 6 in the up-down direction is preferably 0.5 μmor more and 20 μm or less, more preferably 0.5 μm or more and 10 μm orless, from the viewpoint of firmly bonding the light emitting element 1to the wavelength conversion member 3 and improving luminous flux andlight extraction efficiency. In addition, the number of the lightemitting elements 1 provided may be one or more. In addition, the lightemitting device may be provided with a disposing substrate on which thelight emitting device 100 is mounted.

The wavelength conversion member 3 does not necessarily have asingle-layer structure, and may have a multilayer structure. Thewavelength conversion member 3 may be one obtained by stacking aplurality of wavelength conversion members containing differentwavelength conversion substances. The wavelength conversion member 3 mayinclude a light transmitting layer substantially free from a wavelengthconversion substance. A light transmitting layer substantially free fromthe wavelength conversion member 3, a layer containing at least onediffusing agent, a layer having rough surface, a light transmittingmember such as a convex lens, and so on may be stacked on the wavelengthconversion member 3. In FIG. 15, a light transmitting layer 7 is stackedon the wavelength conversion member 3. The light transmitting layer 7disposed on the wavelength conversion substance can protect from theexternal environment.

When the wavelength conversion member 3 is a layered body, and includesa light transmitting layer substantially free from a wavelengthconversion substance, it is preferable to dispose the light transmittinglayer 7 on a second surface 3 b of the wavelength conversion member 3 asin FIG. 15. In this case, the light transmitting layer 7 may configure apart of the wavelength conversion member 3, or may configure a layersubstantially free from a wavelength conversion substance so as toconfigure a different member from the wavelength conversion member 3containing a wavelength conversion substance. By disposing the lighttransmitting layer 7 on the second surface 3 b of the wavelengthconversion member 3, the wavelength conversion substance can beprotected from the external environment with the light transmittinglayer 7 serving as a protective layer at the time when the sheet 20 isremoved to obtain the light emitting device 100C.

The light transmitting layer 7 is a transparent member, and examples ofthe material for the light transmitting layer 7 includelight-transmissive resins such as resins usable for the wavelengthconversion member 3, and glass.

When the light transmitting layer 7 substantially free from a wavelengthconversion substance is provided on the second surface 3 b side of thewavelength conversion member 3 in the step of forming a wavelengthconversion member, the upper surface of the light emitting device can beeasily adjusted.

Specifically, a change in emission color and a change in body color ofthe wavelength conversion member 3 are less likely to occur by removinga part of the light transmitting layer 7 substantially free from awavelength conversion substance, but not removing the wavelengthconversion member 3 in adjustment of the upper surface of the lightemitting device.

The shape of the recess 30 of the wavelength conversion member 3 can beappropriately determined. For example, as shown in FIG. 17A, the recess30 may have a quadrangular shape in sectional view. Alternatively, asshown in FIG. 17B, the recess 30 may have a shape having an arc-shapedupper surface in sectional view. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 17C,the recess 30 may have a rectangular shape in sectional view.

When the recess 30 has a shape as in FIGS. 17A and 17B, an intenselylight-emitting region and a slightly light-emitting region can be setwith respect to, for example, an extended line from an inside (i.e.,light guiding member 6-side) surface of the recess 30. When the recess30 has a rectangular shape as in FIG. 17C, an intensely light-emittingregion and a slightly light-emitting region can be set with respect to,for example, an extended line perpendicular to the light emittingsurface of the light emitting element 1 from a vertex of the triangle.

The recess 30 can be turned to various shapes by, for example, changingthe shape of a blade.

The shape of the recess of the wavelength conversion member 3 in therecess 32 according to the third embodiment can be appropriatelydetermined, and may be, for example, a shape shown in FIGS. 17A to 17C.

In the method of manufacturing the light emitting device 100 accordingto the first embodiment, the step S103 of forming a recess on awavelength conversion member is performed after the step S102 ofdisposing a light emitting element, but the present disclosure does notrequire this order. The light emitting element 1 may be disposed on thewavelength conversion member 3 after the recess 30 is formed on thewavelength conversion member 3. Similarly in the method of manufacturingthe light emitting device 100A according to the second embodiment, thelight emitting element 1 may be disposed on the wavelength conversionmember 3 after the recess 30 is formed on the wavelength conversionmember 3. In addition, in the method of manufacturing the light emittingdevice 100A according to the second embodiment, the recess 30 is formedon the wavelength conversion member 3, and then filled with the secondreflecting member 4, thereafter the light emitting element 1 may bedisposed on the wavelength conversion member 3.

While the shape of the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A in plan viewis a quadrangular annular shape, the present disclosure does not requirethe shape thereof. The frame-shaped protruding portion 2A may be formedin a circular annular shape surrounding the outer lateral surfaces ofthe outer edge of the light guiding member 6 in plan view. Theframe-shaped protruding portion 2A may be formed in a continuous annularshape or an intermittent annular shape. More preferably, theframe-shaped protruding portion 2A has a shape the same as or similar tothe outer shape of the light emitting element 1 in plan view.

Recesses 30 and 32 may be formed in a circular ring shape surroundingthe outside of the outer edge of the light guiding member 6 in plan viewas in the case of the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A. In addition,recesses 30 and 32 may be formed in a continuous ring shape or anintermittent ring shape. More preferably, recesses 30 and 32 have ashape analogous to the shape of the light emitting element 1.

The frame-shaped protruding portion 2A may have no extending portion 2B.Similarly, recesses 30 and 32 may have no portion corresponding to theextending portion 2B.

In addition, there may be a gap between the frame-shaped protrudingportion 2A and the wavelength conversion member 3. In this case, the gapis positioned on the outer lateral surface side of the wavelengthconversion member 3, and the frame-shaped protruding portion 2A isdisposed on the light guiding member 6 side. For example, in the recess30 and a portion of the recess 32 in the wavelength conversion member 3,the reflecting member 2 or the second reflecting member 4 is provided onthe light guiding member 6 side, and a gap is positioned on the outerlateral surface side of the wavelength conversion member 3. In thethrough-hole in the recess 32 in the third embodiment, a gap ispositioned on the outer lateral surface side of the first reflectingmember 2.

The method of manufacturing a light emitting device may include othersteps between, before and/or after the above-mentioned steps as long asthe above-mentioned steps are not adversely affected. For example, acontaminant removing step of removing contaminants entering duringmanufacturing may be performed.

The light emitting devices according to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure can be used for various lighting devices such as flashlightsfor cameras, and general lighting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A light emitting device comprising: a lightemitting element having a light emitting surface and lateral surfaces; alight guiding member provided on at least a portion of the lateralsurfaces of the light emitting element; a reflecting member provided onthe lateral surfaces of the light emitting element with the lightguiding member interposed therebetween; and a wavelength conversionmember provided on the light emitting surface of the light emittingelement, the light guiding member and the reflecting member, wherein thewavelength conversion member is provided with a recess between an outerlateral surface of the wavelength conversion member and the lightguiding member, and the reflecting member is provided in the recess. 2.The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the reflectingmember comprises: a first reflecting member provided on the lateralsurfaces of the light emitting element; and a second reflecting memberprovided in the recess, and the first reflecting member and the secondreflecting member are different components.
 3. The light emitting deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the second reflecting member contains acoloring substance.
 4. The light emitting device according to claim 3,wherein the coloring substance includes one of a pigment and a dye. 5.The light emitting device according to claim 2, wherein the secondreflecting member passes through the first reflecting member.
 6. Thelight emitting device according to claim 1, wherein a depth of therecess is 20% or more and 80% or less with respect to a thickness of thewavelength conversion member.
 7. The light emitting device according toclaim 1, wherein a width of the recess is 20 μm or more and 100 μm orless.
 8. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein thewavelength conversion member is configured with a plurality ofwavelength conversion members each containing a different wavelengthconversion substance.
 9. The light emitting device according to claim 1,wherein the wavelength conversion member includes a light transmittinglayer.